The D&D Auto Recycling Steel Block Bandits series invaded
Eastside Speedway (Va.) Friday night, and it resulted in a night of
“firsts”. Not only was it D.J. Troutman’s first visit to the facility,
but it became his first trip to the Ernie D’s Enterprises Victory lane
in Bandits competition.

Troutman, of Hyndman, Pa., won his heat race earlier in the
evening, but he drew the number three inversion pill and was forced to
start the feature from the third position. Earlier, Troutman set fast
time in qualifying with a lap of 18.994 seconds. As the 40-lap feature
began, Troutman quickly moved his way around Shipman, Va.’s, Justin
Williams, to claim the second spot. He then set his sights on Dustin
Mitchell of Pine Level, N.C., for the lead.

Mitchell led the first twelve laps, but he was forced to contend
with a hard-charging Troutman. Side-by-side the two battled for several
laps until Troutman claimed the lead on lap 13. Troutman led the
remainder of the event to claim his first-ever Steel Block Bandits
victory and the $2,000 top prize. Mitchell, who admittedly chose the
wrong tire compound for the track’s surface, eventually lost the handle
on his machine and finished a disappointing 12th. Like Troutman,
Mitchell also won his heat race earlier in the evening.

As Troutman was storming to victory, race fans were entertained
by hard racing for many positions in the top-ten. Rockbridge Baths,
Va.’s, Booper Bare, started sixth in the event, but made several daring
moves to come home second. Reigning Steel Block Bandits champion, Walker
Arthur of Forest, Va., would follow suit to finish third after starting
12th.

Williams was involved in a turn-two altercation with
fellow-Virginia drivers, Greg Roberson and David Watts, but he rebounded
to finish fourth. Williams won his heat race earlier in the evening, as
well. Delray, W.Va.’s, Gerald Davis, and Hagerstown, Md.’s, Wesley
Bonebrake, “traded paint” in the waning laps, but it was Davis that
claimed the fifth spot. Bonebrake settled for sixth for his best finish
of the season. Winchester, Va.’s, Bo Feathers, who was driving a new
car purchased from Steve Francis, claimed the seventh spot.

Matt Howsare, of Clearville, Pa., had a very impressive
performance on this night. Howsare was forced to qualify for the event
through the B-Main, and he did so by grabbing the fourth and final
transfer spot on the last lap. After starting the feature event from
22nd, Howsare maneuvered his way through the field to finish eighth.
Glen Burnie, Md. driver, Rick Hulson, claimed ninth and Winchester,
Va.’s, J.T. Spence, rounded out the top 10.

Earlier in the evening, Cumberland, Md.’s, Matt Cosner, led all
12 laps to win the B-Main and qualify his way into the feature.
The Eastside event was race number five on the Bandits schedule,
and it was night one of the double-header held with Natural Bridge
Speedway (Va.) the following night.